Adrian BERRY

BERRY, Adrian Douglas (1922 – 2007), beloved husband of Connie Berry (formerly Borgstrom), died peacefully at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Saturday June 16, 2007 at the age of 84. Born in Millet, Alberta, Adrian spent his childhood in various farming communities in central Alberta where he acquired a life-long love of horses. At 17, he told the only lie of his life by exaggerating his age in order to enlist, eventually serving as a tank commander in Italy and North Africa until he was injured and repatriated to England. While earning his B. Ed. at the University of Alberta, he met and married the love of his life, Muriel McKenzie of London, England. After a brief teaching stint in Edmonton, Adrian took a job with National Life Assurance Company where his extraordinary abilities with people made him a natural success. But it was after moving to Calgary that Adrian began giving expression to his passion for public service. He was first elected Alderman for Ward 3 in 1964 and served for a total of nine years. He also held the leadership of the Liberal Party of Alberta for one year. Adrian was an active member of the Anglican Church of Canada Synod and spearheaded a number of refugee settlement initiatives. Upon leaving public life, Adrian formed an eponymous consulting firm that specialized in management services for associations and societies. His company led major fund raising efforts for St. John Ambulance and the YWCA. Adrian also served as Executive Director of the Alberta Optometric Association and the Opportunity “45” Society. At retirement, he and Muriel moved to their country home in Meeting Creek, Alberta, where they became totally immersed in the rural community they so loved. Muriel passed away in 1992. After a long period of grief, Adrian met a local widow, Connie Borgstrom, and shortly thereafter, the community hosted a grand wedding celebration for the septuagenarian lovers. Adrian and Connie moved to Red Deer in 2003 where Adrian struggled with health problems until his passing. Adrian will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife, Connie; children, children-in-law and grandchildren; Jim, Andrea and Adrian Berry and Adrianne (nee Berry), Ken, Courtney and Kelsey Zelenka, by his extended family members, particularly the extended Borgstrom family of whom he was extremely fond, and by so many others whose lives were touched by this extraordinary man. Funeral services will be held at the Meeting Creek Evangelical Free Church, Meeting Creek, Alberta on Friday June 22, 2007 at 1 p.m. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South Edmonton, AB, T6E 6K2. Burgar Funeral Home Camrose Ltd. in care of arrangements (780)672-2121